Coul Links Golf Course Proposal (NA-270-010) correspondence: FOI release

Information requested

Any and all written correspondence relating to NA-270-010 between the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) and other Scottish Government Ministers, officials and staff between 29/08/2025 and 31/01/2026.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested. Please note I have withheld some of the information identified in searches for the following reasons:

Redaction of Names – Personal Information

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption covers personal data where disclosure would contravene data protection principles. The names and contact details of Scottish Government staff who are not Senior Civil Servants have been redacted. Disclosing this information would be unfair and is not necessary in order to understand the material being released. This exemption is not subject to the public interest test.

Redaction of Internal Communication Within Emails

An exemption under sections 30(b)(i) and 30(b)(ii) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. These exemptions protect material where disclosure would be likely to inhibit substantially:

• the free and frank provision of advice, or
• the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.

The redacted sections relate to internal discussions within the Scottish Government. Releasing this information while the matter remains under live consideration would be likely to reduce officials’ willingness to provide full and candid advice in future, which would negatively impact the quality of decision‑making. The public interest has been carefully considered; on balance, the public interest in maintaining these exemptions outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Withholding Three Documents – Internal Ministerial Advice for a Live Case

An exemption under sections 30(b)(i), 30(b)(ii) and 30(c) of FOISA applies to all of the information contained in the documents identified. These documents contain internal Scottish Government analysis, advice and recommendations prepared to support ministerial decision‑making on a case that is still live and under active consideration.

Disclosure at this stage would:

• inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice to Ministers
• inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views between officials
• prejudice substantially the effective conduct of public affairs, as it would risk influencing or undermining ongoing ministerial deliberations

These exemptions are subject to the public interest test. While there is a general public interest in openness and transparency, in this case there is a stronger public interest in ensuring that Ministers can receive full and candid advice while the matter remains under consideration. On balance, the public interest favours withholding the information at this time.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202600505351 - Information released - Annex

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